Engels' Dry Good Store - Luther, OK
Posted by: hamquilter
N 35° 39.705 W 097° 11.750
14S E 663305 N 3947931
In rural Oklahoma, this small general store provided the citizens of Luther with, not only needed canned goods, but a place to gather, relax, have a Coke and enjoy the conversation of neighbors.
Waymark Code: WMC53P
Location: Oklahoma, United States
Date Posted: 07/26/2011
Views: 8
Michael C. Engels came to Oklahoma Indian Territory in 1889. He first opened his dry goods store in 1910, across the street at 115 S. Main. He moved to the building at 114 S. Main in 1921.
He sold Dry goods and opened a fountain for food and drink. When the building was placed on the national Register in 1980, the original 1910 furnishings were still in place, with the original 13 ft. tall molded in ceiling, drop lights, overhead fans and a superb collection of Coca-Cola posters and memorabilia. As you entered the store, on your left was an antique gas-jet cigar lighter which had been burning since 1921. A local resident indicated that she remembered that cigar lighter when she was a teen in the 1970s. Tables and chairs from 1910 stood at the back and in 1980, a hot dog, chips and a drink could be purchased for $1.00.
The building is a one-story brick building, with a set of two doors in a recessed entry at the center. The doors have wood screen doors in front. The display windows have iron grids installed behind the glass, giving the impression of multi-panes. Above the entry are two sets of clerestories. The brick walls are painted above the entry level. The word "TACKLE" can be seen on a sign facing into the store. On the entry doors and one display windows are gold-leaf words reading "CANDY", "FILMS" and "SODA".
A contact at Town Hall indicated that the town of Luther has purchased this building, along with three others, and has plans to renovate them in the hopes of giving Luther an "extreme makeover" and bringing more interest to the town. Additional photos will be posted when this renovation is completed.
Street address: 114 S. Main Street Luther, OK US 73054
County / Borough / Parish: Oklahoma County
Year listed: 1980
Historic (Areas of) Significance: Event, Person
Periods of significance: 1900-1924
Historic function: Commerce/Trade
Current function: Commerce/Trade
Privately owned?: no
Primary Web Site: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 1: [Web Link]
Season start / Season finish: Not listed
Hours of operation: Not listed
Secondary Website 2: Not listed
National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed
|
Visit Instructions:
Please give the date and brief account of your visit. Include any additional observations or information that you may have, particularly about the current condition of the site. Additional photos are highly encouraged, but not mandatory.